Railway-truck bolster



March 4, 1930. 'r. H. SYMINGTON ET AL RAILWAY TRUCK BOLSTER Original Filed April 9, 1926 l jwua'ntom 75022248 Jymz'ygzon 3/ 7 C)! fireypip g .l L may 1 Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS SYMINGT'ON AND PER-CY R. DEENNING, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND,

ASSIGNORS 'I'O T. H. SYMINGTON & SON, INC., 015 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A COR- PORATION OF MARYLAND RAILWAY-TRUCK BOLSTER Original application filed April 9, 1926,

This application is a division of application Serial No. 100,943, filed April 9th, 1926.

The invention relates to bolsters for railway car trucks.

The primary object ofthe invention, generally stated, is to provide a truck bolster.

having side bearings so formed, mounted and arranged as to take the weight of the load instead of the load coming upon a center bearing as is the common practice.

An important object of the invention is to provide a truck bolster and side bearing mechanism thereon for coaction with the side bearing elements which depend from the car body bolster, the taking of the weight on the side bearings being of material advantage in reducing or eliminating roll of the car bodyin addition to reducing the bending moment in the truck bolster, so that the Weight may be reduced, and decreasing the bending moment in the body bolster, consequently reducing the working stress.

It is well known that in the conventional type of bolster and bearing construction, the weight of the car body is borne upon the center bearings, there being a certain amount of clearance between the side bearings on the truck bolster and the coacting depending elements on the car body bolster. During car travel, any slight inequalities in the tracks and the passage of the car wheels over the successive rail joints will develop a side sway or roll which may, in case of'synchronization with the passage of the wheels over the rail joints at certain speeds, result in a pendulum-like movement which becomes excessive and which may cause the truck wheels to leave the tracks.

It is with the above facts in View that we have designed the present invention which has for its more specific object the provision of a side bearing structure which will always sustain the load, the bearing elements on the truck bolster remaining constantly in contact with the elements depending from the car body bolster, there being consequent- Serial No. 100,943. Divided and this application filed March 17, 1927. Serial No. 176,128.

vide a truck bolster in which the side bearings embody or include rollers engaged by top wear plates so constructed as to receive the depending bearing elements of the car body bolster, the provision of the rollers permitting swivelling movement of the trucks with respect to the car body without undue wear and insuring flexibility.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bolster embodying the above mentioned structural characteristics and, in addition, being capable of replacing the present types of bolsters, it being consequently possible to install the new equipment without necessitating alteration of the cars or trucks, the bolster being, moreover, of such construction that all the working parts are retained therewithin, facilitating shipping, handling, assembly and loss of parts in wrecks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an equalizing means or mounting for the side bearing roller supports which will permit the parts to accommodate themselves for insuring a line bearing on the rollers.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a truck bolster having pockets within which are mounted bearing members carrying rollers supporting other bearing members coacting with depending side bearing elements on a body bolster, the bottom of the pocket and the coacting face of the lower bearing member being cylindrical and in conforming engagement so as to permit bodily shifting of the lower bearing member for the purpose of enabling the parts to adjust themeslves automatically and insure a line bearing of the upper bearing member upon the side bearing roller to compensate for manufacturing variations and to prevent the bringing of load strains upon any point, for instance the end portion of the side bearing roller.

Yet another object is to provide a structure of this character in which the side bearing members may have additionally embodied therein lateral motion rollers to permit movement of the body bolster with respect to the truck bolster and side frames, as is a well known advantageous feature in car buildmg.

To the attainment of the forgoing and other objects and advantages which will be made apparent as the description progresses, the invention preferably consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of embodying the invention, and

Figure 2 is a similar view with the side bearing structure additionally embodying lateral motion rollers.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, and especially Figure 1, the numeral 1 designates the body bolster generally, and this bolster is preferably ofthe same general outline and dimensions as those of standard variety in order that it may be installed in a truck to replace the usual equipment without involving any changes or modifications in the structure of the truck itself. The bolster is provided at each end with a reduced extension 2 adapted to fit with-in the window opening of the side frame and to rest upon whatever supporting springs are provided. It is intended that the usual'center bearing be omitted as it is a feature of the invention that theweight of the car body be sustained by the side bearings to be described. The numeral 3 designates the body bolster having depending bearing elements 4 adapted to cooperatewith the sidebearing structure as will be hereinafter made'apparent.

In accordance with the present invention, each end portion of the bolster is preferably provided with a transverse web or wall 5 spaced from the end for reinforcing pun poses, and between this point and each end the top 6 of the bolster is formed with an opening 7. defined a pocket here represented as offset downwardlylwith respect to the end portions 2 though it isconceivable that this detail is immaterial.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figure 1 we provide a saddle member or portion 8 raised above the bottom of the bolster and of course located beneath the opening 7, and the upper surface 9 of this saddle member is made cylindrical. Mounted upon this saddle member is a bearing member 10 which may be of substantially block-like form and solid or which could be ,cored out, if found advisable, for the sake of lightness. This bearing member has a convex cylindrical lower surface 11 con-formingly engaging upon the concave cylindrical surface 9 of the saddle member or portion. The member 10 supports a side bearings roller 12 which is tapered in form so as to have an arcuate path when moved transversely of the bolster when relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters occurs. The top of the It may be said that there is thus member 10 is inclined as shown at 13 so that the axis of the roller will be horizontal at all times, and to prevent longitudinal shifting of the roller with respect to the bearing member 10 to the'latter is either recessed to provide the bearing surface 13 or may be said to have upstanding projections 14 located 7 beyond the ends of the roller. 7

Located above and cooperating witheach roller 12 and interposed between it and the corresponding or associated bearing element 4 depending from the body bolster is a bearing member 15 having a recessed or socketformingly engaging the roller 12, shoulders 18 being also provided at the ends of the inclined surface 17 to prevent longitudinal movement of the roller with respect to the bearing member 15 in exactly the same manner as the projections 14 operate.

While it is possible that the member may be constructed simply as above described,

it is preferred that it be formed with outi wardly flaring side or end portions 19 which extend down through the opening 7 and into the bolster, the lower ends preferably terminating in lateral extensions 20 which project beyond the edges of the openings and which will serve as retaining means to prevent disassociation of the parts duringshipment or any other time prior to installation within a truck. For the sake of strength the member 15 may be provided with reinforcing webs 21 and 22, the former being located at the outer sides of the portions 19 and merging into the top, and the latter being located on the inside of the portions 19 and beneath the extensions 20. It is also apparent that the structure of the members 15 is such that they wall act as covers for the side bearings for preventing water or any dirt or other foreign matter from falling upon the coacting bearing surfaces on the bearing members and rollers.

In themodification disclosed in Figure 2, the construction is in many respects the same though the saddle member 8 above described is omitted, the bottom 23 ofthe bolster being itself of concavo-convex form beneath the opening 7. Furthermore. the above described bearing member 10 1S replaced by a twopart v bearing structure including members 24 and 25 having rollers 26 interposed between them.

The member 24 has a convex cylindrical bottom surface 27 conformingly engagingupon the concave cylindrical surface at the bottom of the bolster, the top of the member 2% being formed with two opposed curved surfaces 28 of what may be described as cam-like form and upon which, the rollers 26 engage. The

member 25 includes a bottom portion 29 having opposite but similar curved surfaces 30 corresponding to the surfaces 28 and engaging upon the rollers 26. The surfaces 28 and 50 are nearest at a point intermediate the rollers 26 and their outer ends curve abruptly toward each other as indicated for a reason to be explained. The member 25 includes an upper portion 31having an inclined bearing surface 32 upon which theroller 12 rests, and the roller itself supports the bearing member '15. At the ends of the upper portion 31 of the bearing member 25 there are preferably provided upward extensions or projections located outwardly of the end portions of the roller 12 and corresponding to the projections 14 of the first described form of the invention.

' The operation of both modifications is the same in some respects in that when relative swivelling movement of the body and truck bolsters occurs the members 15 will move with the body bolster in rolling engagement with the rollers 12. As these rollers are tapered or frusto-conical in shape their natural path is arc uate so that-they will be free from any tendency toward longitudinal movement while moving transversely with respect to the bolsters. An important feature in both forms is that the lower bearing member 10 or 24: as the case may be, may shift bodily'l ongitudinally of the truckbolster so that the roller 12 may accommodate itself to the coacting surface 17 of the member 15. This may be still more clearly explained by supposing that when the parts are installed the roller 12 may be slightly canted with respect to the undersurface 17 of the member 15. If such a condition existed the surface 17 would not have a line bearing against the roller 12 as it would engage only against one or the other edge of theroller. By forming the bottom bearing member with a convex cylindrical surface and by providing a corresponding concave bearing surface in the bottom of the bolster, it is clear that upon the application of pressure to either edge of the roller 12 the bottom bearing member may slip upon its concave bearing seat, thus permitting the roller 12 to shift its axis in a vertical plane and bring about line contact with the bearing surface 17 The operation of the modification shown n Figure 2 differs from that of the other form only as a result of the provision of the lateral motion rollers 26 which permit the bearing member 25 carrying the roller 12 and bearing member 15 to shift longitudinally of the truck bolster or laterally with respect to the side frames to obtain the benefits to be derived from such an arrangement. hen such lateral motion occurs, it is clear that the member 25 will roll upon the rollers 26 and that the rollers 26 may themselves roll with respect to the surfaces 28 and 30. Owing to the cam-like shape of these surfaces it is apparent that when lateral motion occurs the side bearing structure at that end of the truck bolster toward which the body bolster shifts will be raised, thus providing an automatic lifting action. Upon cessation of forces tending to move the body bolster latorally with respect to the side frames the peculiar shape of the surfaces 28 and 30 acting upon the rollers 26 will operate to return the parts to normal or centered position. However, it is contemplated that the action of the bottom bearing member 24 may occur in addition to or aside from the action of the lateral motion rollers, the bottom bearing members in both instances acting as equalizers in the manner set forth.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawing it will be apparent that we have thus provided a very simple and inexpensive structure for the purpose specitied and one which will work for maximum efficiency when installed as part of car equipment. It is really believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While we have shown and described preferred. embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an cxemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen't-he field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A railway truck bolster having a pocket therein, a support within the pocket, ,a roller movably mounted on the support, a bearing member resting upon the roller, and adapted to receive a depending bearing element on a body bolster for movement therewith, and equalizing means permitting automatic shifting of the support and tilting of the axis of the roller to establish straight line contact thereof with the support and the bearing member.

2. A railway truck bolster having a pocket therein with a curved bottom, a supporting member located within the pocket and having a curved lower surface conformingly engaging the curved bottom of the pocket, a roller movably mounted on the support, and a bearing member resting on the roller. said support being automatically shiftable longitudinally of the bolster along the curved bottom of the pocket to vary the position of the axis of the roller.

3. A truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket having a concave cylindrical bearing surface at the bottom thereof, the

directrix of said surface lying transversely with respect to the bolster, a supporting member located within the pocket and having convex cylindrical bearing surface conformto and resting upon said concave hearing surface, said supporting member forming part of a side bearing assembly, including bearing members and interposed. rollers, adapted for coaction with a depending hearing element carried by a body bolster, said assembly being bodily shiftable upon the first named bearing surface.

at. In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket open at the too and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, the directrix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a horizontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said firstnamed curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with respect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side hearing clementfor movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters.

5. In combination with a body bolster hav ing a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket open at the top and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, the direct-rix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a ho izontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said first named curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with re spect to the bolster, a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters, said roller being tapered, and the coacting surfaces of both bearing members being inclined to correspond to the pitch of the roller.

6. In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket open at the top and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, the directrix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a hori zontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said first named curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with respect to the bolster, a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling' movement of the truck and body bolsters,

said roller being tapered, and thecoacting surfaces of both bearing members beinginclined to, correspond to the pitch of the roller, the bearing member being shiftable bodily longitudinally of the truck bolter to vary the position of the axis of the roller to bring its periphery in line contact with the bearing members. r

7. In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with apocket open at the top and,

having a concave cylindrical bottom surface,

the directrix of the surface extending trans-1 versely with respect to the bolster and 1n a.

horizontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon.

said first named curvedsurface, a roller. dis= posed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with re spect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters, both'bearing members having projections extending toward each other and located outwardly of the ends of the roller to ,7

prevent longitudinal movement of the roller with respect to either bearing member.

8. In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end witha pocket open at the top and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, 7

the directrix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a horizontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said first named curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and'movable in an arcuate path transversely with respect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting whereby the last named bearing member will form a cover for the first named bearing member and roller.

9. In combination with a body bolsterhaving a depending bearing el ement thereon near arcuate path transversely with respect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fittlng engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters, the last named bearing member having side portions extending through the open top of the pocket and into the truck bolster whereby the last named bearing member will form a cover for the first named bearing member and roller, said side portions terminating in lateral extensions projecting beyond the edges of the open top of the pocket and acting as retaining means for normally preventing disconnection of the last named bearing member from the truck bolster.

10. In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket open at the top and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, the directrix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a horizontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said first named curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with re spect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters, the first named bearing member being formed of sections having lateral motion rollers interposed therebetween.

11. In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element thereon near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket open at the top and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, the directrix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a horizontal plane, a bearing member located ,Within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said first named curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with respect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters, the first named bearing member being formed of sections having lateral motion rollers interposed therebetween, the confronting faces of said sections having curved cam-like surfaces coacting with the lateral motion rollers for lifting one end of the body bolster upon 00- currence of lateral motion thereof.

12 In combination with a body bolster having a depending bearing element there on near each end, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket open at the top and having a concave cylindrical bottom surface, the directrix of the surface extending transversely with respect to the bolster and in a horizontal plane, a bearing member located within each pocket and having a convex curved surface conformingly fitting upon said first named curved surface, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely with respect to the bolster, and a bearing member engaged upon the roller and having fitting engagement with said depending side bearing element for movement with the body bolster upon the occurrence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters, the first named bearing member being formed of sections having lateral motion rollers interposed therebetween, the confronting faces of said sections having curved cam-like surfaces coacting with the lateral motion rollers for lifting one end of the body bolster upon occurrence of lateral motion thereof, said curved cam-like surfaces acting to center the sections ofthe first named bearing member with respect to each other upon the cessation of a force tending to produce lateral motion.

13. A truck bolster provided at each end of its top with an opening, a bearing member mounted on the bottom of the bolster beneath each opening, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely of the bolster, and a hearing member engaged upon the roller and adapted for engagement with a depending side bearing element on a body bolster for movement therewith with respect to the roller, means for preventing movement of the roller longitudinally with respect to said bearing members, the second named bearing member having portions entering within the bolster and extending beyond the roller and first named bearing member to serve as a cover therefor.

14. A truck bolster provided at each end of its top with an opening, a bearing member mounted on the bottom of the bolster beneath each opening, a roller disposed upon said bearing member and movable in an arcuate path transversely of the bolster, and a bearing bers, the second named bearing member hav-' member engaged upon the roller and adapted for engagement with a depending side bearing element on a body bolster for movement therewith with respect to the roller, means for preventing movement of the roller longitudinally with respect to said bearing meming portions entering within the bolster and extending beyond the roller and first named bearing member to serve as a cover therefor,

the bolster engaging surface of the first named bearing member and the bolster surface engaged thereby being cylindrical with the directrix extending transversely of the bolster whereby the first and second named bearing members with the interposed roller may shift in a curved path longitudinally of the bolster.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

THOMAS H. SYMINGTON. PERCY R. DRENNING. 

